Single-cell transcriptomic profiling reveals diversity in human iNKT cells across hematologic tissues.

ABSTRACT: Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are evolutionarily conserved innate lymphocytes important for protection against pathogens, malignancies, and graft-versus-host disease, with potential for universal donor cellular therapies. While mouse studies reveal transcriptionally and functionally distinct subsets, a comprehensive understanding of human iNKT cell heterogeneity is limited. Herein, we delineate the transcriptomic diversity of human iNKT cells from multiple immunologically relevant hematologic tissues. Human iNKT cells express naive/precursor, transitional, and T helper (Th)1/17/NK-like transcriptional profiles, partially contrasting with findings in mice. Additionally, these data uncover transcription factor dynamics not previously described in mice and reveal a T effector memory

SUBMITTER: Jayasinghe RG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12255272 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature